Who are “The Ancestors”?

Written by Aster

Colloquially in the Western mind, the term ancestor is typically designated only to the blood relations that shaped our DNA. We emphasize the importance of the nuclear family, and often forget anyone that existed before our grandparents. This mirrors the disconnect from land, and leads to a very narrow viewpoint of history. When stories die, when people are forgotten, we lose wisdom. We lose connection, and feel the weight of isolation—whether consciously or not—and there can be a feeling of separation from who we are because of it. As a colonized people, this can lead to a feeling of being untethered that often gets ignored because it feels too big to digest. We carry a feeling inside that says, “I want to go home.”

But to those of you who may be feeling this, I want to introduce to you the concept of “All My Relations.” While there are many First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples who can go into this concept deeper than I can and will do here, I want to be a bridge to this kind of thinking. This philosophy will be gaining popularity as we realize more and more about America’s shadow. It is the concept that we are connected to everything. Every human, every animal, every river, every tree, every mushroom, every rock, every mineral is in relation with each other. We all are the Universe. One big ecosystem, one big organism. What we do to each other, we do to ourselves. To quote the link above, “When one is in pain, all are harmed. When there is justice for one, there is more justice for all.”

I think about this often and how the Western capitalist mindset believes that it can continue this way of life, disregarding the effects on other humans and completely ignorant to its effects on wildlife, biomes, drinking water, and the lungs and temperature regulators of the planet. Ancient wisdom dictates that what we do has ripple effects to all, science says every action has an equal reaction, Vedic texts describe Karma, and even the Bible says “What you sow, so shall you reap.”

I first learned about All my Relations, as a child. Growing up in Oklahoma, I was lucky enough to go to an elementary school that invited the tribes every year to host an educational week for students. I remember being entranced by strong faced storytellers and elaborate ceremonial attire. I remember being enthralled by the idea that we were all one big family, especially as a child of divorce who felt torn into two worlds—living on both sides of the railroad tracks. If we were all one, that meant I was whole. This education was a foundational experience to my spirituality and self-acceptance.

When we view everyone as one large being, we have more compassion for others. We take better care of the planet. We notice when something is off, or needs to change to benefit not only ourselves, but our children, our waters, our lands, our existence. Holding reverence for all beings on Mother Earth, allows us to open our hearts to the fact that we are here to care for one another and all forms of life, and we must intercede where we can. I think about the effects of AI and what this technological revolution is doing to the planet and to humanity. If you haven’t read any of the recent studies on its detrimental effects on the planet and to the critical thinking skills of humanity, then I highly suggest you do so. When something is harmful to one, it is harmful to all.

When you view everything that came before you as a relative, you unlock the deeper meaning of the Root Chakra, Muladhara, and the Earth element. You are more grounded in your lived experience. Your root chakra becomes as desirable to chase as your crown. The Universe exists above and below, and too often I see spiritualists chasing only the stars and energies above, disregarding their connection to this beautiful planet. We must balance, and make the root as sexy as the third eye and crown. This deep connection to the Earth element is required feeling for ethical manifestation.

The next time you are walking by a body of water, view it as alive and something worth caring for. The next time you see birds flying overhead, count them and see if they’re trying to deliver a message. Start viewing this green and blue speck as something worth fighting for. We call her Mother because she is our first ancestor, and all of her descendants lead to us. We are one of the youngest species in a long line of great family tree. It’s past time to ensure the elders are being taken care of. What if we start viewing everything as a potential source of wisdom? What if we see the great ecosystem for what it is and learn what our specific niche and duty to that ecosystem is? We all have gifts given by nature and those who shaped us, it is time to tap into them and start using them.

Your ancestors are more than blood. They are every gust of wind, every simple organism, and every domino effect that has led to this moment—that has led to you. You are the all, and the all is you. When you meditate on this, what do you feel? Lean into it and allow yourself to feel the comfort in the smallness. Allow it to empower you, and provide you with the knowing that everyone who came before you was also just one person in a long line of energy. What will you do with this?

Collective Tarot Energies for November 2025

The Hermit Reversed and the Ten of Cups
Rejecting Comfort | Disconnection from Contentment
Reconnecting with the Whole Story

Written by Aster

The Hermit (Inverted). When the Hermit arrives reversed, he can bring with him themes of isolation, withdrawal, and that the querent is possibly cutting themselves off from the world around them. When inverted, he can represent the need to investigate underlying shadows by visiting the underworld, or the unconscious, to understand why we may have been isolating and what we have been isolating from. While the Hermit in his upright position can indicate that great wisdom is ready to be claimed, when reversed he can indicate that certain knowledges may be missed or forgotten. The key theme of this card is disconnection. When drawn in a pair, you must look at the card it is paired with to know what energy is disconnected. In this case, it is the Ten of Cups.

Ten of Cups. The Ten of Cups is the highest and most beautiful feeling in the numbered cups suit. It represents completion, home, connections, everlasting love, abundance, fulfillment, and the feeling of happily every after. It is also associated with family, both chosen and biological, and the feeling of support that (usually) accompanies these relationships. There is a lot of joy in this card, and at this point in the story of cups it is a welcome relief from some of the previous cards. It talks about interdependence and the support that we lend each other in order to live to our fullest potential. Harmony is the key theme, an interesting contrast to the previous card.

Together. So, with these two together we see themes around the withdrawal from interdependence, isolation from familial energy, and/or disconnection from your roots, genetic or energetic.

I am also hearing sentiments like “this doesn’t feel like home,” or “the feeling of being so far from the American Dream.” And it’s true. This year hasn’t felt like home. The feeling of the themes of the Ten of Cups (completion, home, connections, everlasting love, abundance, fulfillment, and the feeling of happily every after) has been so far from many. In November, we’re being asked to explore why that is, and how we can come together to bring that back.

On a personal level, this could look like taking some necessary time to ground and find emotional harmony, examining the ways we may be rejecting safety, or even feeling through why we feel we have to do everything on our own. Take a moment to pause and think about what part(s) of the Ten of Cups you may be keeping at an arms length.

There have been times recently where I find myself feeling guilty for feeling joy and harmony in my life simply because there is so much to be upset about right now. I don’t think I need to go into that full list given we share a reality, but watching atrocities happening in the land of the “free” to people that look like my brothers is high up on that list.

There is so much guilt wrapped up in being the only white passing person in my matrilineal line. How dare I have a good day when this is happening? How dare I have the privilege of walking down the street feeling relatively safe? It’s very ungrounding, and when it hits I am suspended in grief. I’d like to say I know the answer to this, but right now what’s helping is talking to my community about it. Sometimes, being heard and seen is medicine for the soul as, at the very least, I learn this is not something I am going through alone. There are others like me who are struggling with the same things.

There is a part of this reading that is reminding me about the importance of history. The importance of learning about your ancestors, both of blood and of purpose. The genetic ancestors can help you discover your personal merits and flaws to reveal a path to walk in your life journey. Your ancestors of purpose can show you how you can carry forward the torch of whatever cause they fought for, be they your foremothers in women’s history, your predecessors of justice seekers within marginalized communities, or even the ones before us who fought for more ethical work standards. I think many of us have become complacent in the comfort that was fought for, and now that threat is barging though the door we have no idea what to do. I say, look toward the past. Read history, and remember your ancestors.

You may be asking what an ancestral practice looks like in the real world. While there are plenty of people more qualified than me to go into this, I have found a couple of simple starting activities. Every morning, I give my ancestors a cup of black coffee from my press, specifically my grandfather (though anyone else who is healed and accepting of such an offering is more than welcome to enjoy as well). I have a special corner in my kitchen dedicated to this morning ritual. I hold the cup at my third eye and ask for clear sight and perspective, I hold it at my heart and ask them to help me live from the heart, and I hold it at my lower belly to ask for nourishment, protection and abundance. This simple practice helps me to start my day grounded and gives me a sense of connection to something larger than myself below me, supporting me, and always watching over me. The spirit world works on reciprocity. When you give, you surely will receive.

Another thing you can do is research people in your family tree to learn stories about your ancestors, or talk to loved ones. We’ll go deeper into this another time, but if you are doing shadow work and healing trauma this can be especially important in learning what may have been passed down to you. Energy cannot be created nor destroyed, so the energies within you, the good and the bad, come from somewhere, come from others’ blessings and traumas

Doing this has helped me digest our current political theatrics by understanding this is not the first time my DNA has endured and encountered regimes like this one. I have someone in my line that left East Europe at the dawn of WWII. My grandparents immigrated from Guatemala due to the fallout of the Banana Wars, and a CIA coup that led to Civil War in their home country. Learning these stories has given me resilience. I have perspective to know that adaptability runs in my blood.

The same goes for non-blood related family. The people who fought for my rights to express myself in whatever gender of fashion I want to wear that day. The laborers who said, we deserve more. The people in history that fought for the ability to practice religions other than Christianity openly. All of them are part of my story that I get to live today.

You only are here because many people like you survived and demanded more.

When we honor this, we not only recognize the work that has been put in to get us here, but we also recognize our own potential in keeping flames alive and creating change in the world. We channel the bravery, tenacity, and love of the past when we remember that our story is so much larger than ourselves. When we gain the sight of the Eagle, zooming out to see the long timeline, something shifts.

November Reflections, Tasks, and Journal Prompts:

• How do you find comfort during hard times? What do you do to feel safe in your body? In your emotions? What can you do to expand this?

• Make a list of five things you can do to help yourself feel safe when you start to feel dysregulated—fearful, anxious, etc.

• Find someone in your family tree that you want to learn more about and research or talk to family about it. (Many public libraries offer services in genealogy!)

• Find a local food bank, and if you can, organize something at your workplace, local school, or any organization to help out however you can. Start viewing everyone as family that needs help.

Remember, although you have been taught to be a fierce and independent warrior by the ways our society encourages the individual, we would not be here without each other, without connection. Biologically we are hard wired to work together to overcome. Our ancient ancestors would have died off without cooperation, as this was Homo sapiens only real advantage. We weren’t stronger, we weren’t faster, but we were more cohesive than both the beasts of the wild and our rival hominids.

Although the Ten of Cups feels distant, it’s right behind us, all we have to do is turn around and shine the Hermit’s lantern to see inspiration of how things could be. I believe this moment in history will lead to a better, more cohesive world than we had before. One that’s more connected, more complete, more abundant for everyone.

United we stand, divided we fall.

Many blessings,

Aster

Want a reading? Maybe even seeking help to connect with your ancestors and what gifts they holds? Book Here and follow @astersoluna on Instagram and TikTok.

The Circle, Widening: Thoughts on Ancestor Worship in the Current Era

Written by Nico

In the wake of the social safety net collapse (Medicaid, SNAP benefits), community has been the focus of conversation lately. What is it? How can it save lives when government infrastructure fails? When did we lose it, and how do we rebuild it? It's a question of connection and the responsibility we have to one another.

It's difficult to try to imagine a different way of being in relationship to your community when you might not even know your neighbors names, but we all have a circle. These are the people around you, biological or chosen family, who support you and love you through thick and thin. And usually, we don't need to go beyond that.

However, these are some times. Your usual circle is probably going through some shit, so we're going to talk about widening that circle to get a little more support in your life.

Today, we encourage you to reach beyond the circle around you, both in scope and time, and connect with everyone who came before you. Many cultures practice ancestor worship, often not in the same way we worship gods, but as an invocation of community, belonging and strength.

The other night, we held a beautiful event on the remembrance of our ancestors and the grief of loss. We discussed the many things we can lose—family members, independence, a project, a career, a friend, an identity—and how grief is a necessary step to move through the changes in our lives.

One thing that Vesper said really struck me: she said that everyone has heard of grief, and knows it as an emotion that will visit them someday. It is a dead word, taken for granted. But suddenly, when it happens to them personally, it's inscrutably unique and devastating and unknowable and endless.

In essence, it's true. Your grief is your own. No one else can know the depth or intensity or madness of it. But that smaller truth fades into the larger one: that grief and loss are as much a part of the human experience as joy, both universal and unique.

There is a juvenile myopia here that ancestor veneration can help us move beyond. We are not the first to experience anything—there is nothing new under the sun. Perhaps, those who have already passed from that sun would share their hard won wisdom with those who ask. That is part of the logic of ancestor veneration.

Of course, when we speak of ancestors, we do not restrict ourselves to genetics or "blood". As part of the queer community, we know that chosen family is just as much "family" as biological relatives. Some of us are not on good terms with our nuclear families, or presumably any generations above it. That's understandable. On a yet darker level, Black Americans may share ancestry with slave owners. Many of us will share ancestry with those who have hurt or exploited others. You don't need to reach out to anyone you don't resonate with.

So when we speak of ancestors, we speak of families beyond blood. Kinship and love and support are what matter. We can talk to our queer ancestors, named or not, who first fought for basic human rights in an era that wanted them dead. We venerate their strength, thank them for surviving to pass on their wisdom and tenacity.

We also thank them for thriving and creating beautiful art that makes life worth living. I have a soft spot for the creator of Moomin, and meditate often on her life as a glimmer of how to thrive and love in a world that may not understand us.

In this way, communing with ancestors may provide us with perspective that our short lives cannot encompass. We are a product of all that came before, and our story is always so much larger than we think, imbedded in cultures and eras and movements. Especially in America, especially in times so "unprecedented", we need to look at our roots. Both the roots of our family and the roots of our country.

We are in crisis, yes. Our current events do not, cannot, feel as new, inexplicable or terrifying when we realize that all of this has happened before.

We are the descendants of immigrants who have fled war zones with nothing but a bag and a swaddled baby. We are the product of a mother who left an abusive partner not knowing what was ahead, but knowing damn well that death was waiting behind her.

We are proof of survival. All the grief we are experiencing? It hunted our grandparents, our great-grandparents, possibly our countries of origin. It could have ended them. And yet, here you are.

It may wear a different face, true. But can you gain strength, knowing that this has all happened before and your predecessors survived?

History repeats itself. Nothing is new, and context is crucial. These times are not unprecedented, mostly because there is a fucking playbook.

In a way, it's important to know that we are not special. This is not an unthinkable thing happening to an extraordinary country: this is plain old fascism. Our present moment in time requires you to have that context—an awareness that can be deepened by connection with your ancestors—in order to move forward in a meaningful way. It is imperative to avoid falling into the trap of despair, which is surely where the bastards want you.

Your ancestors love you. All they want is for you to continue your story, and thus, their story. They are waiting for you to reach out, should you choose to. By honoring their life and struggle in the "there and gone", we hope you can come to understand your own in the here and now. It's all cycles, cycles, cycles.

You need support. We all need support. Reach out, or down into your roots, and start creating the community and the continuity that we all deserve as a species.

Because you are not alone. You never were, and their wisdom is your inheritance. Light a candle. Pour some coffee. Say hello.

Listen.

A book recommended to us by a close friend and fellow practitioner, describes itself as: “Offering a practical guide to understanding and navigating relationships with the spirits of those who have passed, Daniel Foor, Ph.D., details how to relate safely and effectively with your ancestors for personal, family, and cultural healing. He provides exercises and rituals, grounded in ancient wisdom traditions, to help you initiate contact with your ancestors, find supportive ancestral guides, cultivate forgiveness and gratitude, harmonize your bloodlines, and assist the dead who are not yet at peace.”

(The link below is an affiliate link through Bookshop.org, which benefits your local bookstores, and which may pay us a small commission if you make a purchase.)

https://bookshop.org/a/112524/9781591432692

Thank you for reading. We hope your November brings you new connections, both spiritual and physical. As things get cold, as the times continue to feel dark, remember we all can take actions to remember the light.

As always, we encourage you to share this newsletter with anyone who might benefit from it. Spiritual work like benefits immensely from a community. Thanks for being a part of ours, especially as we face these uncertain times.

Much Love,

Three Cups Circle. 💗 

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